Abstract
The capacity of a nanostructured multicomponent material composed of Zn-substituted monetite, amorphous calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite and silica gel (MSi) to promote vertical bone augmentation was compared with anorganic bovine bone (ABB) and synthetic β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). The relation between biological behavior and physicochemical properties of the materials was also studied. The in vivo study was conducted in a vertical bone augmentation model in rabbit calvaria for 10 weeks. Significant differences in the biological behavior of the materials were observed. MSi showed significantly higher bone regeneration (39%) than ABB and β-TCP (24%). The filled cylinder volume was similar in MSi (92%) and ABB (91%) and significantly lower in β-TCP (81%) implants. In addition, β-TCP showed the highest amount of non-osteointegrated particles (17%). MSi was superior to the control materials because it maintains the volume of the defect almost full, with the highest bone formation, the lowest number of remaining particles, which are almost fully osteointegrated and having the lowest amount of connective tissue. Besides, the bone formed was mature, with broad trabeculae, high vascularization and osteogenic activity. MSi resorbs gradually over time with an evident increment of the porosity and simultaneous colonization for vascularized new bone. In addition, the osteoinductive behavior of MSi material was evidenced.